Muse | How much do I need? | 30th Apr. '10

How much do I need after all?

The though troubles me – a question became a niggling doubt and now it seems to flow as a muse.

The thought struck me yesterday when I took out a few old clothes that did not fit me any more to give to my bai (maid). She has a son who is about my age and nearly my size; as also a younger son – so, my stuff pretty much fits either of them. As I took them out, I realized that in the past 1 year, I had let out and given more than half of my wardrobe to different persons. And still, I do not find that I have a dearth of clothes.

It is not that I ever had too many clothes – for I’ve naturally liked things sparse. No – it is not austerity or anything; its just that managing too much is too difficult a task. So the less there is or the leaner things are, the more easier they are to manage. Typical management gyaan – but it works for me. So instead of buying bulk packs, I buy food in packs that can be stored till I can consume them. A couple of times I have made the mistake otherwise on persuasion from friends, I have ended up regretting it. So over time, I find it better to have less to the level I need.

The other day, a friend of mine was shocked to note that I have only a couple of bed covers – to me a sufficient enough change when one goes in for laundry. I was greatly persuaded to buy more – to stock up for future needs. But what need – I asked? If one goes to laundry, I put the other one – simple. Well, no doubt there are times, when I want a change, and I would want to put different colours, but for the sake of that how much do I need? Ok, I might be a bit more leaner than others, so maybe I can do with a few more. But five: what for, as was suggested?

Coming back to clothes. So, it was quite funny as I reflected upon it. I had nearly given out half of my clothes – and from the above para you know how much I actually have – and still have clothes. Well, ok. I don’t have all clothes that I need. I don’t have separate clothes (and accessories) for an evening wear, an office wear, a party wear, “a whatever else” wear! Well – back to management concepts. KISS – keep it simple & straight. The more manner I have, the more trouble for me. Having different types of wear means: having the ability to match them; having the finesse to manage them having the capability to carry them off. And that is so so difficult – for me as a person. So KISS!

A few of my friends call me mad. A few others mad. And some real perceptive ones call me ‘eccentric’. Maybe I am eccentric. But hey – who is not. Had read a quote once which was, “Eccentricity / Idiosyncrasy is like having an accent – its what the others have it!” Brilliant – whosoever wrote that line.

Long ago a friend of mine had taught me a fundamental difference between “quality” and “quantity”. Except for a few people who have both quality and quantity, most of us have to manage with a combination of either. A typical Englishman would have quality. He would buy one good coat but keep it such that it lasts him years. Many of us to the contrary buy one every winter – cheap and cheerful stuff that lasts only that time. Which one do you choose? I found some wisdom in the former. The energy grows on you with time as also on your clothes. Now this is freaky stuff. Where you inhabit or where you are, you invest your energy there. So the more your clothes stay with you, the more their energy is.

I recollect my mother telling me as a child: if you respect your clothes, your clothes will respect you. I used to be a careless child who never gave a 2nd thought to keeping things properly. Some treatment of advice, counseling, cajoling, coaxing, and not sparing the rod helped me tide over my rebellious years and I find that I’ve pretty much liked that philosophy in life.

Not to say that there are no pitfalls of such an approach. When you choose quality, you need to manage it well. That calls for time and attention. At the same time, a replacement comes with a cost – of both time and money. So if you’re going through a lean patch, you have to compromise or wait. The choice seems frivolous, but sometimes it is a question of life and death. Would you rather wear a shirt with frayed collar (obviously not visible to all) for a while and wait a while for the new shirt or replace with a new rough and tumble shirt? I guess that’s the moment of reckoning for each one of us. Philosophy is not such a boring subject – when life is looked at this ways. Or maybe such mental gymnastics provides a touch of Tabasco to what they say, ‘la vie quotidian.’

But having said all this, I still don’t know why I don’t feel a dearth of clothes. I can count my pants in single digits and still I don’t feel I have less – so was it that I had too many to begin with? Or have I changed with time? That my needs have reduced? Or that I don’t consider them worth it? But what is my need after all – do I know it? I guess not. If you gift me something, I won’t back off – will gladly accept. “

And so, the question is, “What do I need?” And, “How much do I need after all?